The leader of the Opposition, Michéal Martin, has clashed with the Government over faith- 
schools.
Speaking yesterday in the Dáil [1] during Leader’s Questions he suggested that Churches would be worried “about the impact of Government policy on their schools”.
He was speaking following a query by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams as to whether the Government would be reinstating the structured dialogue between church leaders and the State.
Mr Martin said that the dialogue had been “a good initiative of former Taoisigh”. Many of these Churches and faith groups, he said “now see the Taoiseach’s office as a protector or promoter of diversity and tolerance,” he added.
In that context, Mr Martin said, some Churches were worried about statements made by Minister for Education and Skills, Ruaíri Quinn, that 50 per cent of Catholic schools might be transferred to alternative patronage.
He said: “A unilateral declaration has been made that they should hand over 50 per cent of their schools, which has not given confidence to quite a number of minority churches.”
He asked whether the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, has yet had “consultation with the Churches on that issue and, if so, will he elaborate his thoughts on the matter?”
Mr Kenny said that he had not had any consultations with the Churches but that he expected to do so. He added that the transfer of patronage of Catholic schools “would depend on a serious dialogue between the parents, the boards of management and the patrons”.
Mr Martin also said he disagreed with comments Mr Quinn that the teaching of the sacraments during school hours is behind falling literacy standards.
The Fianna Fail leader said that he did not accept that “instruction in regard to holy communion and confirmation is undermining literacy standards in our schools, which I understand was suggested by the Minister for Education and Skills”.
He added that he tended “to agree with the view of former Taoiseach, Mr. John Bruton, that this is a completely over the top analysis of the literacy issue, which arises from more profound issues and requires deeper analysis”.
He asked the Taoiseach whether he agreed with Mr Quinn. In response, Mr Kenny said that it was “a matter for serious discussion”